Hot Dog Redemption

When I Say Summer You Say....

Nitrates!!!!

Ah well, nitrates, shmitrates. I'm pretty sure nitrates aren't even real, anyway. I'm pretty sure they're pretend.

I'll just come right out and say it - I dig a dog with mustard and onions. Or chili and cheese. Or kroat. (500 bonus points to the person who understands why I spelled it that way...)

I like mine grilled, but not charred. Never charred.

I recently discovered that I inadvertently enacted a brand-new Summer tradition a few years back. The first cook-out of the season finds me making up a batch of this:

Have we ever discussed my adoration for tangy, sour, pungent, acidic foods? It's legendary.

Here's the skinny:

6 cups thinly sliced cabbage
2 medium cucumbers, shredded (with peel)
1 red bell pepper, diced small
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. celery seed
1 tsp. mustard seed

Mix ingredients in a large bowl and allow to sit in refrigerator for at least 24 hours. This will keep for up to 2 weeks. (I usually drain some of the excess liquid off after 24 hours.)

This stuff is so darn good on a dog. Or even piled up cole-slaw style, on the side. It's definitely best eaten off a styrofoam plate (forgive me, Al Gore) with a big, tall glass of iced sweet tea.

Just try it. You know you want to.

And, per usual, be sure to report back.